Why a police plane was flying above Hull for two hours on Sunday

-Credit: (Image: Submitted)
-Credit: (Image: Submitted)


A National Police Air Service aeroplane was spotted circling Hull on Sunday afternoon.

Residents in East Hull reported seeing the plane flying above East Hull shortly before 4pm, before departing the area around two hours later.

A spokesperson for The National Police Air Service told Hull Live that crews were supporting Humberside Police through Operation Yellowfin, a targeted initiative that aims to tackle nuisance motorbikes and anti-social behaviour.

READ MORE:Five people given £1,000 fines for fly-tipping in Hull

READ MORE:Hull pub could be demolished to make way for six houses

They said: "The National Police Air Service’s aeroplane crews continue to support Humberside Police as they address community concerns about nuisance bicycles through Operation Yellowfin. The force has previously reported that many residents have flagged nuisance motorbikes as a concern affecting their neighbourhoods.

Operation Yellowfin officers
Operation Yellowfin officers in 2021 -Credit:Humberside Police

"The air support crews, based at East Midlands Airport, provide directed patrols at key times as part of their airborne deployments, monitoring for illegal and nuisance behaviour and providing real time information to police commanders through high quality video evidence, via dynamic downlinks directly into police control rooms.

"On Sunday 27 October 2024, the crew provided support in the Humberside region for around two hours, from 3.53pm, before being deployed to assist Nottinghamshire Police with a missing person search.

"Along with 19 helicopters, NPAS has a fleet of four aeroplanes which can remain airborne for up to eight hours, making them a valuable tool for pre-planned events, prolonged operations and airborne patrols, in support of every police force across England and Wales."